Brookwood emergency department approved by state board

Brookwood Medical Center should be allowed to build a free-standing emergency department -- the first in the state of Alabama -- at the intersection of U.S 280 and Alabama 119, the state Certificate of Need Review Board voted today.

Board members voted 5-3 in favor of the $14 million project, affirming the recommendation an administrative law judge issued last month in the case.

Brookwood officials and doctors argued that the project would cut the time of treatment for residents in Shelby County who have to contend with 280 traffic to make it to the closest emergency room at Brookwood's main hospital.

But Trinity, which has applied to build its own full-scale hospital on U.S. 280 in the former HealthSouth hospital, argued that the board shouldn't rule on the project until state health planners have a chance to decide whether Alabama should permit free-standing emergency departments and in what form.

"We need to let this board do its job," said Carey McRae, an attorney representing Trinity. "We need to have that regulatory fence in place before we open the gate and let the horse out of the barn."

St. Vincent's said it was in favor of free-standing emergency departments but fears Brookwood's project, which also includes some outpatient diagnostic services, will take away business from its own facility on 119.